Amas Musical Theatre (Donna Trinkoff, Artistic Producer), New York City's award-winning pioneer in diversity and multi-ethnic casting in the performing arts since 1968, recently held the company's 48th Anniversary Gala Benefit honoring the Tony Award-winning composing team of Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty on Monday, April 3, 2017 at the Baruch Performing Arts Center (East 25th Street between Lexington and 3rd Avenues). Honorary Chair for the event was Tony Award-winning actress, singer and dancer Chita Rivera and noted theatre journalist Peter Filichia returned as Master of Ceremonies for the evening.

The gala evening began at 6:00pm with a champagne reception and silent auction. At 7:00pm, students of the Rosetta LeNoire Musical Theatre Academy, Amas' flagship education program, presented a sneak peek of their upcoming spring production, followed by the aforementioned show. The evening culminated in presentation of "The Rosie Award," this year bestowed upon the Tony Award winning composers Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty (Anastasia, Once on This Island, Ragtime, Rocky, Seussical, Dessa Rose). A scholarship in the name of Amas founder Rosetta LeNoire was also given to college-bound Amy Tolentino attending the Amas Teen Academy.

"Lynn and Stephen exemplify the spirit of Rosetta LeNoire because of their extraordinary accomplishments and dedication in bringing our world more closely together through the theatrical arts," said Donna Trinkoff, Amas Producing Artistic Director. "Their musicals have explored the cultural terrains of bigotry and exclusion. Their magnificent musical Ragtime encompassed the immigrant experience in the early 20th Century; Once on this Island is a story about the haves and have nots on a Caribbean Island; Dessa Rose is the story of the liberation and spiritual awakening of two women of different color during the time of slavery. Their work is both inspirational and beautiful."